Relay for Life of Marengo County is ready to begin a new year, and will hold its first meeting on Monday, Sept. 21, at 5:30 p.m. at the Demopolis Public Library.

Relay for Life is the annual fund-raising event for the American Cancer Society. Every year nationwide, millions of people take part in the fun of raising funds for cancer research and treatment.

Relay for Life raised more than $72,000 in Marengo County last year for cancer research, education, advocacy and patient services. The goal for 2010 is to have 21 teams and to raise $79,168.

The Monday meeting is for team captains to help organize the 2010 campaign. Captains will help set dates for the 2010 Relay for Life event, the kickoff party and the committee and team captain meetings.

The meeting will also be a forum for ideas for the theme of the coming Relay for Life event. Last year’s theme was “The Cancer-Free Network,” where teams came up with promotions based on TV shows, like “Show Cancer Who’s the Boss,” “M*A*S*H” and “I Love Lucy (But I Hate Cancer).”

“We are going back to having a joint meeting with the Relay for Life committee and the team captains,” said regional coordinator Jennifer Hallman. “This way, team captains can be move involved with the planning process. They can have more input on the activities and the input and the theme and when Relay will be held. This will give the committee volunteers more input. The more people you have involved with the planning process, the more ideas you get.”

Hallman said anyone can be a member of the Relay for Life committee.

“Even if people don’t want to be in charge of anything, there is room on the committee for anyone,” she said.

Anyone wanting to be involved with the Relay for Life in Marengo County is welcome to come to the meeting or can contact Jennifer Hallman at Jennifer.hallman1@cancer.org.